Santa Fe, NM · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Forklift Operator Salary in Santa Fe, NM

In the Santa Fe, NM metropolitan area, forklift operators earned a median annual wage of $66,600 ($32.02/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $38,500/year and the 90th was $69,700/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and New Mexico tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $53,702 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 98.8 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$66,600$32.02 per hour · $5,550 monthly
10th Percentile$38,500$18.51/hr base
25th Percentile$42,700$20.53/hr base
75th Percentile$66,600$32.02/hr base
90th Percentile$69,700$33.51/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$66,600
$25,000$135,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$66,600
Net 81%
Fed 9%
NM 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$53,702After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,475Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,065Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,822 / yr
New Mexico state income tax$1,981 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,095 / yr

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Wage Percentiles in Santa Fe, NM

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators in the Santa Fe, NM Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NM)
10th Percentile$18.51/hr$3,208$38,500$32,412
25th Percentile$20.53/hr$3,558$42,700$35,606
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$32.02/hr$5,550$66,600$53,702
75th Percentile$32.02/hr$5,550$66,600$53,702
90th Percentile$33.51/hr$5,808$69,700$55,737

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Santa Fe, NM

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$66,600 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$79,071Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index98.81.2% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio84.2%of area median income

Compare forklift operators salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in New Mexico:

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay in Santa Fe, NM

What is the median salary for forklift operators in Santa Fe, NM?

The official BLS median annual wage for forklift operators in Santa Fe, NM is $66,600, which equates to approximately $5,550 per month or $32.02 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for forklift operators in Santa Fe, NM?

The median hourly wage for forklift operators in Santa Fe, NM is $32.02 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $18.51/hour and one in ten earned more than $33.51/hour.

What is the pay range for forklift operators in Santa Fe, NM?

BLS wage estimates for forklift operators in Santa Fe, NM span from $38,500 at the 10th percentile to $42,700 at the 25th, $66,600 at the 75th, and $69,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do forklift operators take home after taxes in Santa Fe, NM?

On a median gross salary of $66,600, an estimated $53,702 lands in net take-home pay per year ($2,065 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in New Mexico in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $12,898 (an effective rate of 19.4%).

How much do forklift operators make per month in Santa Fe, NM?

On the median annual salary of $66,600, gross monthly income is $5,550. After federal, FICA, and New Mexico state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $4,475 per month (or $2,065 every two weeks).

Is $66,600 a good salary in Santa Fe, NM?

At $66,600, the median salary for forklift operators is 84.2% of the Santa Fe, NM median household income ($79,071). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 98.8, making regional consumer goods and services 1.2% cheaper than the U.S. average.